Ismaili Castles in Iran and Syria

Iran Heritage Foundation, London Middle East Institute at SOAS and the Institute of Ismaili Studies.

This presentation will present the results of the research work he has carried out during the last forty years, mainly in Iran but also in Syria and parts of Pakistan, on the magnificent castles which underpinned the Ismaili state from 1090 until the crushing defeat by the Mongols in 1258. During his research he has located this site of more than 150 castles of varying size, many of them previously unknown. Some of the main fortresses, built in remote mountainous areas, are outstanding examples of the remarkable Ismaili architectural expertise and are superior in many respects to the castles constructed by the Crusaders.

Peter Willey is considered the leading authority on the Ismaili castles of Iran and Syria. A teacher [at Wellington College] by profession he spent many years of his vacations (1959-2001) in the discovery and investigation of the Ismaili castles. He now lectures on the Middle East and Islamic art and culture at Bristol University. He has written a number of books, starting with the Castles of the Assassins (1963) which was for long regarded as the standard work on the subject, but which has now been superseded by his latest book Eagle’s Nest (2005). He has also contributed an article on Ismaili Monuments in the Encyclopaedia Iranica.